Interview with Chandler Juliet

By Harriet Kaplan

Indie pop singer/songwriter Chandler Juliet is in the midst of working on her follow-up EP to her critically acclaimed Loud Heart.  Garnering three Indie Music Awards nominations and a win for Best Pop Record in 2015 for Loud Heart, is now in the studio with producer/songwriter Dean Dinning (Toad The Wet Sprocket) and Mikal Blue (Colbie Caillat, One Republic and Five For Fighting) developing new material for the latest EP. Juliet just released the music video with the first single, “Don’t Miss You”, which is already receiving an incredible response.

Between working on the new EP and performing this past Summer in Memphis and Nashville, TN., Juliet spoke with BOC to give insight on growing up in a creative environment, the craft of songwriting and more.

Was your talent as a singer was apparent from an early age? Can you tell me about it?

I grew in a house with parents working as studio musicians—Bob McChesney, trombonist, and Calabria Foti, violinist and vocalist. They were always practicing, and recording in the house and singing with my sister and I. Hearing music from several different rooms in the house is totally normal to me. My mom tells me I used to sing myself to sleep when I was a toddler!

Did your parents help you cultivate it right away? How did they inspire you?

My parents always encouraged my sister and I to take up music and instruments. We always sang around the house, we both got piano lessons, she got flute lessons, I got violin, cello, clarinet lessons, and around age 9 I took up teaching myself to play guitar, which is when I started writing songs.

What do you feel was the greatest gift of being around a creative environment? How did watching other artists help you develop your own craft?

The greatest gift of growing up in LA and being around studios is definitely the inspiration. I love seeing both ends of the spectrum—very successful people and artists just starting out—having witnessed so many success stories showed me it’s truly possible to make your dreams into a reality, if you want to.

When did you decide to pursue songwriting?

I always wrote songs just for me—for my own expression and needing to get some things off my chest. It was when I began performing them for friends, and seeing their reactions, I realized my talent for songwriting, and that I should share my art with a greater audience.

What do you feel sets you apart from other singer/songwriters?

I think what sets me apart from other singer/songwriters is my ability to have fun with everything I do, and how involved I get with the work and the entire process.

What was it like working with Dean Dinning and Mikal Blue? How did their extensive experience in the music industry guide you in the studio, production, and collaboration on the new music? How did you meet?

Dean and I met at a mutual friend’s birthday party, and hit it off immediately. We soon after went into Revolver Recording, Mikal’s studio, just to work one-on-one and found that we have undeniable musical chemistry. He has completely taken me under his wing at Revolver. We had Jacob Williams as our wonderful engineer and Mikal and Jacob mixed the tracks. Mikal and Dean have since been inviting me to writing sessions with other artists from Sony/ATV and that is helping me develop and hone my skills as a songwriter.

Do you feel it’s more of a challenge working on an EP versus a full length album? Why did you decide to go that route?

I think  EP’s work better in this day and age with the average attention span. It also allows me to express myself as I change and evolve—in my personal life, and as a songwriter.

Is the new EP more an exploration into the personal themes dealt with on your initial EP?

Yes, definitely. I think this upcoming music is going to be much more developed, as far as sound, and identity.

Do you enjoy working more in the studio or performing live? What is unique to you as far as both experiences?

That is such a tough call. Some of my best days are studio days. I love coming into the studio with a blank canvas and walking out with something beautiful we just created. I think the studio is where I do a lot more creating—writing, recording, etc. However, the high-energy dynamics of performing a great show is something I could never live without. Luckily, I don’t have to choose!

How involved do you get in making videos?

I am pretty involved in the video process!! I write, produce, cast the actors, hire the production team and my band, for all my videos. I’m incredibly devoted to the creation of the videos because I really care about the storytelling and image. I’m even in the editing room. I’m very passionate about filmmaking as well as music (Film Major in college) and my favorite part about being an artist is when I decide to put a video to one of my songs.

How did it feel to be nominated for three indie music awards? Does it give you more confidence and valid you further as an artist and the direction you are going in?

Absolutely! It was wonderful to have any stamp of approval. It feels great to see that all the hard work really does pay off.

More on Chandler Juliet:

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